Past Productions: Bryn Athyn College Rocks! 2003
 



Fund raising (and friend raising) have taken many forms at the Academy and Bryn Athyn College, but perhaps, none has been as unique as this Spring's Evening of Pink Floyd Music that took place on April 11. The event was organized as a way to support future plans to build a cutting-edge Science and Classroom Building on Bryn Athyn College's campus, and at the same time, pay tribute to a cutting-edge musical group.

Pink Floyd's music is not brand new to the Bryn Athyn community. Participant Dr. Fredrik (Figge) Bryntesson tells us that he had been a part of previous local Pink Floyd tributes, in 1993 and 1996. "The idea to play another Pink Floyd concert had been discussed last October by some of the band members. Then, during a College Math/Science division meeting, an idea was formed to use the concert to raise awareness of the College Science Building Fund."

In the ensuing months, a large, talented group of musicians and singers was put together, set lists worked out and many hours of rehearsals started.

 


From left to right: Joe Henry and Alan Cowley at the sound check, EMCEE Ray Silverman introducing the event, and the supporting act Hot & Crossed (Rhys Asphlundh and Anders Fehon)


The show started off with "Breathe." To the right is the backing vocalists during "Time"
(Kate Bristow, Laura Kern, Johanan Odhner and Nathan Odhner).
 
 

While the band was busy rehearsing, a tech crew worked hard to put the behind-the-scenes aspects of the show together: Keith Genzlinger, sound; Steve and Juliet Lindrooth, along with Kevin Morey, on lights and fog machine; Allen Bedford on the opening for the show, Greg and Daryl Baker, Hilary Bryntesson, Matt Keith, Brittany Barnett, Kyla White, and C.A.R.E. on the lobby displays, both of the night's performers and various College departments. Naomi Roth helped out in organizing rehearsal, sound check and setup time in the Mitchell Performing Arts Center.

Everything came together for a grand performance on the night of April 11. Rev. Dr. Ray Silverman opened the evening with a few words for the audience about Bryn Athyn College's goal of expanding its facilities and capabilities to teach in a distinctive educational environment on its own campus.

Next came "Hot & Crossed," the opening duo of Rhys Asplundh and Anders Fehon. They performed an acoustic three-song set, with two tunes that they had co-authored.

Rhys then served as MC, introducing the main tribute band: Figge and Joe Henry performed on electric and acoustic guitars, Alan Cowley played bass guitar and sang lead vocals on a number of tunes, Shawn Rose played keyboards and sang lead vocals, and Mike Thomas played drums. Anders Fehon, Nick Holm and J. Deckert were also featured as lead vocalists, and Alanna Rose, Nathan and Johanan Odhner sang both lead and backing vocals; Laura Kern and Kate Bristow added their own backing-vocal talents. Will Bostock supplemented the voice, keyboard guitar and drums with soaring saxophone solos.
 
 


"Learning To Fly" featuring Nick Holm on the lead vocals


Left: the band performing "Coming Back To Life." Right: Johanan and Nathan Odhner performing "Fat Old Sun."


The Band. Top row left to right: Shawn Rose, Alan Cowley, Joe Henry, Will Bostock, Figge Bryntesson and Mike Thomas. Bottom row left to right: Kate Bristow, Laura Kern, Johanan Odhner, Nathan Odhner, Alanna Rose, Anders Fehon, Nick Holm and J Deckert.

For the more than 300 people attending, the evening rocked on as the band performed 21 memorable Pink Floyd tunes, in two sets.

On the fund-raising front, more than $2000 was collected or pledged for the College Science Building. One of the organizers summed it up well when he afterwards said "this has been an absolutely wonderful experience for me. The band, crew and other people in the organization of this event have put in so many hours to make sure that the event worked. They deserve a BIG hand."


Alanna Rose and the band during "The Great Gig In The Sky"


Alan Cowley, Figge Bryntesson, Joe Henry and Mike Thomas during "Money"


Everybody's on stage for "Another Brick In The Wall Parts 2&3"


Joe Henry, Mike Thomas and J Deckert working the audience during "Another Brick In The Wall Parts 2&3"


Shawn Rose, Nick Holm, J Deckert, Anders Fehon and Alan Cowley during "Another Brick In The Wall Parts 2&3"